The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-10
TUE FoRTY-NINTH CONGRESS.

a Sharp Review of the Remssnees of the
Democratic House of Representatives
Special to New York Tribune.
In summing up the achievements and failures
of the Forty ninth Congress. especially of the
House of Representatives. Mr.. Reed, of Maine,
sad "The Forty-ninth Congress has failed to
do its most important work. perceive that
those who are thankful for little are trying by
the enumeration in separate lines Of number
of small things to make catalogue which will
show quantity if not quality. Ii the country is
disposed to selicitare itself over the presidential
succession bill. which gave the President pow
Of attorney to choose his successor and SUBJ
stituted the possibility of Bayard for the possi-
bility of Sherman: or over the presidential count
bill, which provides for contingency as liable
to happen again rs lightning to strike twice in
the same place; over the interstate commerce.
BILL the largest uncertainty that any nation ever
enacted-the country must be very easily satis-
fled. If the country will pause, and reflect and
summon to its recollection the memory Of
what expected of this Con-
gress when it began, it will find that
OF the three great measures which were then
deemed OF Importance, every one is still in the
future. These measures were reduction Of the
surplus. defense of the country, and admission
of three States in the great Northwest. In the
House of Representatives not one of these meas
them has risen to the dignity of a debate. Not
even eloQuence has been wasted on them. On
the surplus twice, Mr. Morrison with his col
umn, marc he'd up hill and then marched down.
twice Mr.. Randall, with his contingent, could
have been with good glasses making time
on what seemed to he bill, until nc faded from
our vision behind long letter, which, if he un-
derstood himself, marks him az the most acute
man Of this any age. Meantime the surplus
remains. OF course, the administration will
DOW have to buy bonds and worry the banks or
hoard and worry the country. 1t is strange how
much reform looks like incapacity. The great
call for fortfcations and great guns did NOS
have its origin in partisan clatnor. Samuel j.
Tiden spent the thought Of mis- last davs on the
defenseless condition of his country. The Dom
ocratic newspapers vied with the Republic
ans in reiterasinc his demand Yet the
House of Representatives. with con-
temptuous disregard OF the needs of the
country, gavelo fortifcation or ordinance billfor
either session. And the country remains not
only without guns, but without the capacity
and appliances to make them. 1t must be fifteen
months before another appropriation bin can
pass. It will take two years to build an eight
inch and four to build sixteen-inch gun. Hence
we close the Forty ninth Congress with no gun
for a fertilization possible for more than three
years.
"Mr. Randall in an explanation he caused to
be given OK his failure, thought he could have
agreed to do something if he had had time. "A
Mr. Cutcheon pointed out, he had the Senate
bill nine months. The truth he didn't
want time, but eternity, and thus far he seems
TO have got it. The truth is the whole Demo
cratic party-both wings-ars struggling TO in
crease the surplus by refusing needed exDendi-
lures, so that they may make flank attack on
protection. They are not willing TO meet the
question openly and will shout, Down with ths
SURPLUS when they mean Down with the tariff
''fhe refusal to admit the three great Terri
tories was denial of the right of local sef-gov-
ernment to 600,0 600 American citizens, who have
made a great empire In tho Northwest. So far
from being able to justify its action in this mat.
ter the House never dared 10 vote on the qucs.
ton. So fragrant was the injustice that no ono
dared to face it. The reason was not only OBJ.
vious but was stated in full house and not de
MED. II was because it was feared that tho votes
Of the new States would be Republican.
'T have no time to talk TO you about the AZ.
preparations, but am told they will be as large